San Jose Sharks center Dylan Gambrell (14) and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Jake Bischoff (45) vie for the puck during the second period of a preseason NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Defenseman Jake Bischoff’s stint in the American Hockey League was short, but meaningful.

The Golden Knights sent the 24-year-old to their AHL affiliate in Chicago on Oct. 12 and he played two games before being recalled Oct. 14.

“It was definitely valuable,” said Bischoff, who has been a healthy scratch in every game he’s been on the NHL roster this season. “You can practice here and try to keep yourself in game form as much as you want, but to be able to play games is the best way to get yourself ready to go so I definitely think that was very valuable.”

The Cambridge, Minnesota, native made the team out of training camp but has yet to make his debut. He didn’t know he would be recalled to the Knights so soon when he was sent down, though the injury suffered by defenseman Deryk Engelland may have been a factor in the decision.

While he’d prefer to be on the ice, Bischoff is doing his best to prepare every day for whenever the Knights need him.

“It’s different, that’s for sure,” he said of watching games from the press box. “But the coaching staff and trainers have done a terrific job working with me after practice and doing extra conditioning just to make sure I’m as ready as I can be. That’s the goal right now to just be ready to help the team when you get your shot.”

Tuch returns

The Knights’ freshly minted $33.25 million man is inching closer to a return.

“It’s good to get him back,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “He’s getting close. Working hard, had a good practice today. We get a day off tomorrow so we’ll see where he’s at on Tuesday. He looked good.”

Goal sharing

Jonathan Marchessault leads the Knights with five goals but he almost gave one up Saturday.

Marchessault and linemate Reilly Smith had a 2-on-0 facing an empty net against the Anaheim Ducks, and Marchessault looked back to see if his teammate wanted the puck. But Smith pointed to the net to tell Marchessault to take the shot and get the goal.

Smith still got an assist on the play.

“I was just trying to go get the puck and I was looking around if Karly wanted an empty net or if it was Smitty. Smitty didn’t want it, so I was just trying to get it done,” Marchessault said. “That’s the way we are on our team. We’re happy for everyone out here and we want to play for each other. We want everybody to be successful and that’s the way it is here.”

A Golden Knights-themed slot machine was on display Tuesday at the G2E Global Gaming Expo as AGS showed two products that came out of a 3-year contract with the Knights. A video roulette game featuring a Knights helmet and an enormous slot machine were on the floor along with Knights cheerleaders, the Drumbots and Chance, the Knights' mascot. (Mat Luschek/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Golden Knights talk after practice

Marc-Andre Fleury, Max Pacioretty and Cody Eakin in the locker room on Wed. October 3, 2018.

Vegas Golden Knights show support at blood drive

Members of the Vegas Golden Knights NHL team showed up for a community blood drive on the first anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting, Oct. 1, 2018. (Mat Luschek/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Nevada Task Force One Cheers Golden Knights

Nevada Task Force One Cheers Golden Knights

Lucas Elvenes is ranked as one of the Golden Knights' top prospects

Lucas Elvenes is ranked as one of the Golden Knights' top prospects after a breakout season in Sweden. He slid to the fifth round in the 2017 draft after being projected to be selected much higher. “I wasn’t happy about being a fifth-rounder. But it was good for me, too, because I didn’t have so much pressure when I came here," Elvenes said.
Elvenes posted five goals and 16 points in 28 games while playing in the top league in Sweden. The Knights signed Elvenes to a three-year, entry-level contract in June.

Golden Knights rookie camp - Day 2

The Golden Knights held their second day of rookie camp at City Arena in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye